The Election Commission has issued notice to BJP’s Kanpur unit for violating the model code of conduct during senior party leader Murli Manohar Joshi’s visit to the constituency on March 21.

Joshi is BJP candidate for Kanpur and it was his first visit to the constituency after the announcement of his candidature.

Party leaders, MLAs and other workers had welcomed Joshi at Ganga bridge, from where his cavalcade went along with him to party office in Naveen Market.

The cavalcade was stopped a number of times on the way by party workers. Joshi later addressed the workers at party’s district office.

Additional District Magistrate of Kanpur Avinash Singh said the notice has been served to BJP district president Surendra Maithani, as the number of vehicles in the cavalcade were more than the permissible limit.

The BJP unit was allowed use of 10 vehicles but sources said there were more than 100 four-wheelers in the cavalcade.

Besides, the cavalcade had also created traffic congestion in the city, added the ADM.

BJP district president Surendra Maithani said he had the administration’s permission for the event.

Maithani also said he had received the notice Sunday 7 pm even as it was issued Saturday, adding he sees the ruling party’s hand in the delay.

Maithani said the 24-hour deadline to reply to the notice has already lapsed. “The administration served the notice late under the influence of ruling party so that I wouldn’t be able to reply. I have given a complaint in this regard to the Election Commission of India,” he said.

The ADM said the notice was served Sunday 4 pm and that the BJP president has sent him a letter informing that he will submit the reply Monday. “If the administration would not be satisfied with the reply, it may lodge an FIR for violation of MCC.”